Arias Pistons 12.5:1 Compression 82mm Bore Honda B-series on 2040-parts.com

Pininfarina takeover would boost Magna expertise in key areas

Magna International Inc. would become a stronger competitor for design and development jobs if it takes over struggling car styling and engineering firm Pininfarina S.p.A., executives say. “Magna badly needs design competence, and Pininfarina has top staff,” said Paolo Tumminelli, CEO of Goodbrands GmbH, a brand and marketing consultancy based in Cologne, Germany.

Saturn alerts customers it is considering a spinoff

Saturn has begun alerting customers that it may be spun off by General Motors as an independent marketing and distribution company. In a letter sent to about 1.5 million Saturn owners Wednesday night, Saturn said it would have to line up products to sell--either from other manufacturers or from GM in the role of a vendor--after GM's current commitment to build Saturn products ends after the 2012 model year. "The Saturn Distribution Corporation already exists as an indirect subsidiary of GM," wrote Jill Lajdziak, general manager of Saturn, in the letter.

Flashback: Pontiac killed on April 27, 2009

It was precisely two years ago today--April 27, 2009--that Pontiac met its demise. In hindsight, the decision made a lot of sense for General Motors, which six weeks later would file for bankruptcy. But at the time, many enthusiasts were more than a bit upset that 80 years of Pontiac--once the third-best-selling brand in the United States--was set for the scrap yard.